Today, there are far more functional countries in the world than any map will list. These unrecognized countries are nation-states. This designation means they are identified by their a unified culture which is separate politically and socially from their official government. The Arab Spring has blown the lid off many of the worst autocracies, from the deserts of the Sahara to the Balkans peninsula. Corrupt central governments are receding before small nation-state across the Third World. In the twenty-first century stability in the Middle East and rapidly developing countries will be marked by the emergence of small, regional nation-states whose legitimization comes from their ties to the local cultures.

Since 2004 there have been two countries in Yemen. There is the recognized militaristic government under President Saleh, the target of international outrage as massing Arab Spring protesters demand his resignation and that of his heavy-handed parliament. UN observers have taken advantage of this strife to visit off-limits regions of the country. They have discovered a new nation.

In the north of Yemen the separatist Houthis have established a large territory, encompassing cities, which they operated independently from the recognized government. Their struggle for independence is largely hidden by the oppressive Saleh regime, who bombarded and assaulted northern towns indiscriminately. We learn from Yemen that there can be operating, unrecognized governments in destabilized nations. Some have already emerged.

South Sudan broke away from Sudan on July 9, 2011 to the applause and amazement of the world. Before their split from Sudan the South Sudanese were largely unrepresented in their ex-government’s corrupt and violent regime, which has killed hundreds of thousands in the Darfur Genocide. A separatist movement in South Sudan was able to win support for a new nation because natives wanted a government from their people for their people.

There is still unrest in South Sudan; however, they have even gained a foothold as an established nation. Money is beginning to flow into South Sudan. For example, the country recently won a $2.14 billion dollar oil export deal. Meanwhile, South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit has met with President Obama and begun to build tentative relations with the United States. South Sudan is here to stay. The African Union, one of the most notable inter-country organization in Africa, has admitted South Sudan as a full-fledged member. The future looks bright for South Sudan. We learn from Southern Sudan that unrecognized nations can emerge members of the international community. Other nation-states, still unrecognized, still have international impact.

Palestine is a new state-nation, despite what Israeli claims. It is one of the most renown largely, yet unrecognized, new nation-states in the world. For years they have lived under a trade embargo from Israel because of the Palestinian’s Hamas government, who seeks to wipe Israel from the map. However, with the winds of the Arab Spring change has come to the Gaza Strip. With Mubarak’s resignation in Egypt and the erosion of the Israel-Egyptian alliance the western border of Palestine has been opened. This derivative of the Arab Spring has allowed critical resources and new ideas to sweep through the Hamas government. It was suspected this would cause an explosion of terrorist activity into Israel and snowballing border war

This is not the case.

Instead, Hamas is calling for a mitigation of violence. They are even willing to consent to the 1967 borders between Israel and Palestine. In the aftermath of the Arab Spring these radicals are willing to yield where they once vowed they would not. I believe the Arab Spring is influencing these separatist leaders to make rational moves and take what they can get. If Israel can also agree to this deal they might be able to bring peace to a region that has been swamped in conflict for more than half a century through recognizing two separate states of Palestine and Israel. In the past they attempted several varieties of hegemony over the radically different Jews and Muslims with no success. Nation-states are the solution to end territorial conflicts because the end the predicament with a definitive border line. This solution is not limited to the Middle East.

In Europe, Kosovo has emerged as a semi-recognized nation-state within the borders of Serbia. Between Mali and Algeria Al-Qaeda Islamic Maghred is establish local support for a new territory of power. Despite each nation-state being radically different all of these, from across the world, share common traits. Each is recognized by its own unique cultures. In addition, these new countries have the ability to be self-sufficient because of the emotional investment the leaders have in their homeland. Finally, nation-states can emerge anywhere in the world where there is an unrepresented, by motivated, minority with a unified culture.

The Age of World Wars, which has lasted since the French-Indian War until the fall of the Berlin Wall, is over. We are entering the Separatist Wars, between emerging nation-states and their oppressive governments.

Nation-states will fight for new countries because that will be the only way they can secure their own futures. Rather than sweeping conflicts across conflicts the twenty-first century will be marked by numerous heated conflicts. Once the dust settles many cultural enclaves will emerge as state-nations.

The world will be off with nation-states governments will curtail of corruption and increase representation of otherwise ignored populations because of their cultural investments. This is my prediction, interpret it as you wish.

Do encrypted and safe phones mean the Arab Spring uprisings are In the Clear?

The American Government is funding cell phones designed to guard grassroots rebellions; don’t worry; these measures are not counter intuitive. This technology was designed to empower the rightful leaders in oppressed countries to coordinate victorious revolutions. Grants from the State Department have now launched this cell phone application called In the Clear.

This initiative gives the people’s leaders quick disposable communication that could be electronically wiped at the flick of a switch. This function protects everything that would be endangered if the phone fell into enemy hands; list of critical contacts, locations of weapon caches, and planned actions. In addition rudimentary encryption provides a powerful shield against cyber warfare and government snoops.

Previously, caught rebels were forced to swallow their SIM cards to protect their friends, now they can save freedom without the toxic indigestion. These phones are already in use in Arab Spring battlegrounds.

Why Are Cell Phones Critical to Revolutions?

The keystone to the fall of Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya has been one innovation: instant communication. Cell phones and social media networks have allowed public rebellions to ignite, flourish, and defeat oppression.

Uncensored slaying videos circulating over YouTube, massive coordinated protests through Facebook, and revolutionaries are mobilizing protesters, and militias, through cell phones. Without being able to quickly react and take advantage of opportunities not only would have these righteous revolutions lagged, they might have even been crushed. The Libyan rebels have been using cell phones since the beginning of their rebellion to battle Gaddafi. In the coming revolutions in Syria and Yemen the handheld technology will continue to play a crucial role in mitigating bloodshed in the transfers of power.

Who Innovated These Phones?

The mastermind behind In The Clear is Katrin Verclas. She runs an inventive activist group called MotiveActive, whose primary goals surround easier access to instant communication and knowledge proliferation. The technology behind In the Clear was funded by grants from the State Department in association with a rapidly expanding Internet Freedom and accessibility.

Internet access is a basic human right, according to the United Nations; these cell phones are a crucial step in defending this right in unstable nations. Verclas’s phone application will play a major role in empowering the people where they need it most.

Perhaps they will be used domestically in the future, hopefully not in violent forums.

Eight gunmen have sprung notorious Mai Mai Terrorist Commander Gédéon Kyungu Mutanga from death row in a Congolese prison. At least one thousand inmates exploited the security breach, spilling out into the nearby Lubumbashi, the second largest city in the country.

National authorities are being mobilized to contain the criminals, police are converging on the prison with close support by military forces. Fast responses from authorities and local residences have recaptured 152 of the escaped convicts before the search had even begun. United Nations spokesperson Madnodje Mounabai, from the mission in Congo to defeat roving bands of militants, has expressed great concern for this explosive development and urges national support for the country-wide manhunt. Prospects are uncertain if the commander of the “triangle of death” will be brought to justice.

How was the Raid Conducted?

A miscellaneous minivan slipped by the security of a high security Congolese prison. Eight armed gunman sprang from the vehicle once it breached the walled perimeter, making a beeline for Gédéon. One guard and one visitor were killed before guards were able to retreat to safer position outside of the occupied jail. Upon rescuing their leader, saving him from an imminent death sentence, the gunman encouraged all the other prisoners to make a break for freedom. It is estimated that roughly 1000 escaped before the guards, reinforced by military and police, where able to secure the prison.

Gédéon is a notorious terrorist; his name is associated with the Congolese “Triangle of Death” where Mai Mai militants wrought anarchy during the war and continued unrest since. When he was captured it was a blow to their terrorism. It was a landmark act of justice in Africa when he was convicted of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death. If he was able to retake leadership of the militant organization again it may perpetuate more painful years of civil war. This threat could cause the deaths and rapes of countless more innocents.

In the jungles of Southeast Asia, in the shadows of an iconic temple a new war has erupted. Fueled by decades of strife and stifled hatred, gunfire exploded across the ruins of Preah Vihear between Thailand and Cambodia patrols. Now it has escalated out of control into war around the ruins, mortars raining down on surrounding towns and numerous fatalities.

The Thai have made a statement incriminating the Cambodians, who have remained silent for now, for instigating the conflict. Two patrols from the opposing nationalities met in Preah Vihear and both fired on each other; it is unknown who fired first. The spokesman of the Thai army spokesman announced that one soldier had been killed and an addition four were severely injured. Both sides have mobilized troops in the region, suspecting that their rivals will make a move to secure the temple. This resulted in numerous deaths following the initial skirmish. As of now all units are on stand down orders; despite this the temples remain a flash point of war in Southeast Asia.

Why is Preah Vihear So Important to Both Nations?

These sacred ruins of Preah Vihear are disputed by both countries, each claiming it as their own. This extensive temple complex is the second largest in the region, second only to Angkor Wat in size. Built over a thousand years ago it is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, whom wish the numerous religious population on both sides of the border praise daily. This region has been disputed ever since the first French explorers visited the region, since then there have been steadily growing conflicts culminated in the Thai reluctant relinquishing of the temple in the 1960’s due to international pressure. Since then the conflict has been forgotten, except tempers were stirred up in 2008 when the United Nations Heritage council declaring that Cambodians had ancestral rights to the site, this stirred up controversy. Since then there have been a series of escalating conflicts culminating in this emerging war that will rock the already unstable region.

Haiti, a luckless country located on one half of an island in the Caribbean. The country is currently in a state of anarchy, the capital Port-Au-Prince is a decimated collection of shacks and ruins while cholera mercilessly kills civilians in all regions of the country. The UN’s efforts to reestablish control have been routed by armed civilian, now international forces have mostly pulled out of the country

Why is Haiti Currently Unstable?

Haiti was initially a French colony, which gained independence during a massive and costly slave rebellion. As a country it never really evolved past dictatorship, being ruled by tyrants such as Toussaint L’Ouverture or Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The government of Haiti has ruled with an iron fist since its creations and has never held high regard for human life. Today it persists an unstable “democracy”; the UN commented that it was one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

This conundrum was further complicated by one of the most devastating Earthquakes in human history.

On January 12, 2010 at 7.0 magnitudes Earthquake ripped though Port-Au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. Most buildings, including almost all government structures, were leveled. The slums that dominated the city were flattened, the ports cranes were knocked down, and Haiti’s singular airport virtually disintegrated.

Since this time the country has become a state of anarchy. There have been minor attempts by whats left of the corrupt government to regain control but currently they have not even been able to maintain control of the capital. In a CNN IReport Video burning cars, unsanitary conditions, and public outrage were evident throughout the capital. There is no evidence that the Haitian government is regaining control.

There is also evidence that the United Nations, who went in to stabilize the country, has not only failed in their attempts, but have practically been driven out of the country.

Why has the UN Failed Haiti?

Initially the UN forces were called in to attend to medical needs and reestablish a government in Haiti. Progress was slow; it was hard to move resources or personal into the country. The ports and the airport were both demolished so nearly everything had to be airlifted in by helicopters. Many of these helicopters were initially unable to land, because they were mobbed by impoverished Haitians upon arrival. Despite these setbacks, and thanks to large international aid, the first couple of months they were mostly successful. The airport is now up and running and some level of stability had been installed by the UN.

Then Haiti was rocked by a cholera outbreak, a disease notorious for striking at the most inopportune times. Dozens began to die and the Haitians fear boiled over into anger. Instead of targeting the disease they instead target the UN, blaming them for the cholera epidemic. UN forces were target and beaten back wherever they tried to help.

The UN compound was overrun by violent protesters. UN soldiers were forced to use their firearms in order to defend themselves; it is unknown how many Efforts to rebuild the airport were put off indefinitely. Most UN personal have been recalled, leaving only a small standing army of soldiers to maintain a facade of stability. UN power in Haiti has been completely neutralized; they are no longer to provide aid to the people who so desperately need it because to do so would be to risk the lives of the UN personal.

What is the Future of Haiti?

The future of Haiti has a bleak outlook with no good options. The international community has generally abandoned the country. International Aid, that had overwhelmed the UN’s means of helping the country, has petered out and is now nonexistent. The world has moved on to other issues and problems, forgetting about Haiti.

The only authorities that remain in the country are the UN, who simply lacks the man power or the public support to maintain control. Haitians are actively trying to drive them out, most UN forces have been recalled.

The cartels are gaining control of the country, in the future they will take over the roll of government. This is a bad thing; it will lead to only more crimes against humanity. The warlords that control the cartels are focused more on gaining control than helping their followers and those that have usurped their control have been dealt with violently.

Haiti will become a haven for warlords, and most likely the drug lords often are paired with these warlords. Dictatorship will reign; the people will be at the mercy of their uncaring and violent rulers.

There is no hope for Haiti, unless there is renewed international interest for aiding our fellow man.